Adopt A Grandparent shortlisted for UK Dementia Award, recognising the vital role of connection alongside care

Adopt A Grandparent has been shortlisted for the Intergenerational Award at the UK Dementia Awards 2026, recognising its work in bringing meaningful, one-to-one connection into the lives of people living with dementia.

As you know, we partner with care homes across the country to complement the high-quality care already provided, creating consistent intergenerational relationships that offer something different: dedicated, personal connection.

Through our safeguarded programme, residents are matched with volunteers for regular video calls, based on shared interests, language or life experience. These conversations sit alongside day-to-day care, providing a familiar voice, a trusted presence and a relationship that is entirely their own.

In care homes, where teams work tirelessly to deliver compassionate, person-centred support, time for sustained one-to-one interaction can be limited. Adopt A Grandparent is designed to strengthen that environment, adding an additional layer of emotional connection that supports wellbeing in a different way.

For people living with dementia, this consistency can be transformative. Knowing the same person will call each week creates familiarity and reassurance. Over time, these relationships become anchors in the week, helping to reduce anxiety, support communication and encourage engagement.

David Annand, Head of Operations and Fundraising at Adopt A Grandparent, said:

“Care homes provide exceptional care. The teams we work with are dedicated, compassionate and deeply committed to the people they support. What we do is build on that foundation.

“We create space for relationships that are consistent, personal and entirely focused on the individual. For someone living with dementia, having the same person show up every week, just for them, can have a profound impact on how they feel, how they engage and how they experience their day.

“This shortlisting is a recognition of the power of that connection. It shows that alongside great care, human relationships remain at the heart of what matters.”

The impact is already being seen across the UK. Care homes report improved mood, increased confidence and greater participation among residents involved in the programme. In some cases, individuals who were previously withdrawn have begun recognising their volunteer, recalling conversations and engaging more actively in daily life.

The programme also creates meaningful benefit for volunteers, many of whom build lasting friendships that offer perspective, purpose and connection in their own lives. The result is a genuinely intergenerational model, where both sides gain from the relationship.

Now working with more than 400 care homes nationwide, Adopt A Grandparent continues to expand its reach, responding to growing demand for emotional connection within care settings.

The winners of the UK Dementia Awards 2026 will be announced on 30th April.